Forgive Your Brother From Your Heart

********Español mas Abajo ************

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 130

Matthew 18: 21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.' Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, 'Pay back what you owe.' Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."

Reflection/Learn More:

Which words or phrases stood out to you in this Gospel?

What challenge is Jesus giving us and his disciples in this gospel?

Why is it so hard to forgive people?

What does it mean to “forgive your brother from your heart”?

The first servant was initially shown mercy by his master. Have you experienced mercy before?

How did that experience of mercy impact the way you live or treat others?

How can you take something from this Gospel and apply it to your own life?

Reflection by Elizabeth Poynton: "I often find that the people I am quickest to lose patience with or criticize are the ones who struggle with the same issues or faults as me. Really, those are the people I am called to have the most mercy and compassion for because I should have a better understanding of where they’re coming from. This is difficult though because they remind me of all the issues that I still must work on in myself and maybe even loathe in myself. The first servant in the parable from this weekend’s gospel faces a similar scenario. He got himself into a position of crippling debt and, even though he was forgiven of it by his master, could not help himself but to jump at the opportunity to punish someone who had the same flaw as him. The servants are only one part of the story—their master reveals another aspect of truth in this parable.

The master was going to sell his servant and the servant’s entire family and livelihood—until the servant begged for mercy. The act of the servant acknowledging his own lowliness and asking for forgiveness is what changed his life. The master was willing to offer mercy if only the servant just asked for it. If we turn to our Father in heaven with the same attitude of humility and dependence, He will always pour out His abundant love and mercy upon us. However, this gift that is always available to us comes with a challenge. We must extend forgiveness and mercy to those who do us wrong as well, not just out of obligation but from a place of compassion, knowing what it means to be forgiven.”

Important Announcements:

Series of Car Wash: CANCELLED

The series of car have been cancelled; instead we will do a bake sale, sometime in October. More details coming next week.

Bonfire

Come and join us for a social night with a bonfire on Wednesday September 20, 2017 at 7pm in the Parish Outreach Center. Bring your friends and come meet new people as well!

Coffee and Donuts Fundraising

Come and help us raise funds for NCYC on Sept. 24 and October 15 from 9-11:30am by helping serve donuts to parishioners and help clean tables. Sign up HERE!

Family Bonfire

Come and join us with your parents for a family bonfire on Wednesday October 18, 2017 at 7pm in the Parish Outreach Center. Come and find out what youth ministry is all about!

Haunted House

Youth Ministry will be providing a haunted house for the students and their families as part of the Trunk or Treat school event. We need teens to help us plan it and run the show which will take place on Friday October 27, 2017 from 4pm to 10pm. Come to youth ministry night every Wednesday to help us plan and have your ideas incorporated! All proceeds from the haunted house will go towards helping teens go to NCYC.

NCYC 2017: November 16-18

Cost is $260 and it will cover registration, t-shirt, bag, tradeables, and minor admin fee.

Registrations: DUE Sept. 17 or a late fee of $40 will be applied

Registrations are available in English and Spanish. You can REGISTER HERE. Please note that you will need to turn in your waiver which you can download and print after completing your registration. If you do not have access a printer and would like to get a copy of the waiver, you can get it from Fr. Kyle or Daniel on Wednesday night at YM.

Fundraising Opportunities: Register below to stay updated. Email us at
for more info.

If you have questions regarding NCYC or the registration please contact Tina McDorman at OR 979-6520 (call or text)

Lock-In

Come have a great fun night full of activities and moments of prayer on Friday December 8, 2017 at 6pm to Saturday December 9th at 12pm. There will be dodge ball, many icebreakers, food, movies, prayer time, and many more activities throughout the whole night!